SK hynix operates a dedicated career track for technical experts, empowering engineers at the company to refine their technical capabilities and advance their careers. This track includes Distinguished Engineers (DE) and Honored Engineers (HE) in the semiconductor technology field and Masters and Honored Masters in the equipment maintenance domain. By encouraging career growth and extending work opportunities beyond the retirement age, the company not only instills pride among its engineers but also strengthens its technological expertise.
In 2025, SK hynix is continuing this practice by appointing thirteen DEs, one HE, five Masters, and two Honored Masters. The program is garnering significant attention this year as Heeyoul Lee, the company’s inaugural HE, has become the first to continue working beyond the official retirement age. To find out more about the initiative, the SK hynix Newsroom sat down with HE Kyoonhyoung Kim and Honored Masters Youngdae Kwon and Jeongil Shin to gain insights into their appointments and visions.
Appointment of Top Technical Experts: A Shared Sense of Pride & Responsibility
At SK hynix, HEs and Honored Masters are esteemed technical experts who pass down their field expertise to junior engineers and provide solutions to complex challenges. The company systemized the Technical Expert Career Track by introducing the HE and Honored Master appointment programs in 2020 and 2022, respectively, building on the previously established DE and Master track. Under this framework, the company selects the most skilled and experienced individuals as DEs and Masters. Only DEs and Masters with the highest technical skills advance to HEs and Honored Masters, respectively.
The rigorous selection process for HEs and Honored Masters involves evaluating candidates’ technical capabilities, reputations, and executive assessments. Therefore, only those with the highest technical proficiency are chosen to continue research and development beyond retirement age. Reflecting on this prestigious recognition, Kim, Kwon, and Shin expressed both immense pride and a deep sense of responsibility.
“It’s an honor to see my dream become a reality,” Kim said. “While my responsibility is greater, I see this as a great opportunity to do more important work. As an HE, I will do my best to set a model example for the Technical Expert Career Track.”
“I’m proud to be recognized for the hard work I’ve shared with my colleagues,” Kwon stated. “I will not only comprehensively document my knowledge in whitepapers but also pass down my expertise, and grow together with the team as an Honored Master.”
“This recognition gives me pride in my work,” Shin revealed. “I will continue to focus on improving my capabilities, sharing my knowledge, and fulfilling my responsibilities as an Honored Master, striving to be a model member.”
The three gurus plan to continue leveraging their roles to make a broader impact. Kim aims to establish technology roadmaps and explore new business models while pioneering future technologies and mentoring junior engineers. Kwon hopes to collaborate with colleagues to solve complex challenges while documenting his unique know-how to train future Honored Masters. Meanwhile, in fulfilling his role as an Honored Master, Shin will deepen his knowledge of lithography1 equipment, including manufacturer-related expertise. This will help achieve early stabilization of new equipment and boost company knowledge about the field and programming applications.
1Lithography: A process used in semiconductor manufacturing to transfer intricate patterns onto a surface, typically a silicon wafer. Lithography can involve the use of deep ultraviolet (DUV) and extreme ultraviolet (EUV) wavelengths.
Fostering Innovative Achievements Through Decades of Expertise
The journeys of Kim, Kwon, and Shin to the pinnacle of their careers involve decades of innovation and achievements. Over the years, they have honed their expertise, becoming highly skilled in their fields while garnering significant accomplishments along the way.
Kim has a strong passion for modeling and achieving real-world results
Since joining the company in 1992, Kim has accumulated 33 years of experience in modeling research. As a physics major, he developed a strong interest in modeling after joining the company as it involves analyzing device characteristics using physical equations and computer simulations. He took immense satisfaction in seeing his simulation results align perfectly with real-world product performance, which further fueled his passion.
“One standout moment came in 2014 when I successfully developed a proprietary SPICE2 model despite the challenges of maintaining modeling accuracy amid device miniaturization,” said Kim. “This model remains in use today, which gives me an indescribable sense of accomplishment.”
2Simulation Program with Integrated Circuit Emphasis (SPICE): A computer simulation model used to model and analyze electrical circuits, helping engineers predict how a circuit will behave before it is built.
Kim’s development of a leading SPICE model significantly impacted his evaluation for the Technical Expert Career Track, establishing his reputation as an expert in the field.
Kwon has relished tackling technical challenges throughout his career
For over 30 years, Kwon has tackled countless technical challenges, finding the most fulfillment in solving difficult problems. He compared the thrill of resolving unsolved issues to cracking a cold case. His proficiency was especially evident in the localization of very high temperature3 (VHT) carbon equipment, one of his key achievements.
3Very high temperature (VHT): Refers to operating conditions that significantly exceed standard temperature ranges. VHT devices can perform efficiently in elevated temperatures due to the inclusion of heat-resistant materials.
“For a year, a critical issue in this project remained unsolved, pushing it to the brink of failure,” Kwon revealed. “In response, we formed a united team with process engineers, equipment specialists, and partner companies, working tirelessly to find a solution. Not only did we overcome the challenge, but we also gained industry recognition for our technological capabilities, securing exclusive rights in the process.”
Following this success, Kwon continued to make significant contributions by actively participating in a task force (TF) team which aimed to enhance equipment competitiveness. His efforts in establishing and standardizing various management systems further solidified his capabilities, ultimately leading him to achieve the prestigious title of Honored Master.
Shin taught himself various programming languages during his journey to becoming an Honored Master
As a young engineer, Shin’s passion for programming led him to explore game development. Over the years, he taught himself multiple programming languages including C, C++, and Python, building a knowledge base which would play a key role in his journey to becoming an Honored Master.
“Lithography equipment generates approximately 1 GB of data per hour, usually requiring manufacturer support for data analysis,” Shin said. “To streamline this process, I combined my domain knowledge with programming to develop an in-house lithography equipment analysis tool, enabling our team to analyze data independently and much more efficiently.”
Shin’s analysis tool greatly improved engineers’ workflow efficiency, leading him to earn the Honored Master title. His dedication to data analysis remains strong to this day as he still monitors three screens at once, searching for hidden insights within continuously updated datasets. He credits this technical acumen and unwavering passion as the secrets to his growth as an Honored Master.
Technical Excellence as a Foundation, Outstanding Reputation as the Key to the Top
As tech gurus, the three newly appointed experts have earned deep respect from their colleagues, a key factor in their selection as HEs and Honored Masters.
Kim’s colleagues at the 2025 Technical Experts Appointment Ceremony showing him support
Kim’s bond with his colleagues was particularly evident at his HE appointment ceremony as his coworkers held banners in his honor. When asked about the secret behind this strong relationship, he emphasized the importance of open and informal communication.
“Stepping into a new career path, I knew I had to set an example,” Kim stated. “More than anything, I made it a priority to continuously communicate with my colleagues. I made a conscious effort to actively participate in team events and engage with everyone on an equal footing.”
Kwon (image 1) and Shin (image 2) celebrating with colleagues at the 2025 Technical Experts Appointment Ceremony
Kwon attributed his strong reputation to always demonstrating exemplary behavior and prioritizing horizontal communication. “I treated every organizational challenge as my own, leading by example,” he revealed. “When working with others, I maintained a horizontal approach, listening carefully to different perspectives. To foster equal communication, I also obtained relevant certifications to deepen my understanding of data, allowing me to engage in more data-driven decision-making.”
Meanwhile, Shin pointed to his significant on-the-job experience as the foundation for his status at the company. “I simplified maintenance technology training by creating quizzes for junior engineers and always stepped in first when issues arose,” he explained. “I believe my approach as a mentor, which involves always sharing knowledge, and my extensive hands-on experience contributed to my positive evaluation.”
The three gurus, with their combined technical expertise and strong reputations, also shared their visions for the future:
- Kim: “My vision is to enhance simulation accuracy and share my knowledge to foster junior engineers who can internalize the company’s VWBE4 philosophy. At the same time, I will continue developing technology roadmaps and driving innovation.”
- Kwon: “With a commitment to ending on a high note, I see myself growing as a CVD5 expert while exploring new fields to become a pi-shaped6 talent. Additionally, I will document my knowledge in whitepapers and actively share my expertise through SKHU7 lectures.”
- Shin: “I will dedicate myself to continuous self-improvement to stay ahead in this fast-changing industry. With the skills I develop, I will carefully mentor junior engineers and communicate every detail.”
4Voluntarily, Willingly, Brain, Engagement (VWBE): SK Group’s management philosophy that emphasizes proactive and engaged thinking.
5Chemical vapor deposition (CVD): A method that deposits materials onto the wafer’s surface using a chemical reaction.
6Pi-shaped: Individuals who have deep expertise in two distinct areas (represented by the two vertical lines of the symbol for pi, π) and a broad understanding across multiple disciplines.
7SKHU (SK hynix University): SK hynix’s internal educational institute, offering structured technical and business training to enhance skills at all levels and boost the company’s competitiveness.
Advancing Technical Achievements After Retirement
Kim, Kwon, and Shin shared their final thoughts on the Technical Expert Career Track. “We have provided a blueprint for engineers and equipment maintenance team members to focus on developing their technical capabilities,” they said. “This initiative not only plays a central role in advancing and disseminating technology, but also serves as a driving force to break through growing technological limits.”
Expressing their gratitude, they added: “We are thankful that this initiative allows us to pass on our technical achievements to the next generation even after retirement.” Kim, who is approaching retirement age this year, remarked: “I am proud to have the opportunity to continue working even after reaching the retirement age. I am determined to help establish SK hynix as the global leader in modeling.”
(From first image) Kim, Kwon, and Shin express their appreciation for the Technical Expert Career Track
Finally, the three gurus shared advice for aspiring technical experts:
- Kim: “If you have passion and determination, anyone can become a technical expert. I encourage you to broaden your perspective, develop deeper insights, and challenge yourself with perseverance—all while maintaining good relationships with your colleagues.”
- Kwon: “Challenge yourself with difficult goals and make bold attempts to break the mold. Keep developing your skills consistently, communicate effectively with colleagues, and work with a courageous attitude under the VWBE philosophy.”
- Shin: “I became an Honored Master because I honed my programming skills early on. So, prepare diligently, even if no one recognizes your efforts. Opportunities come to those who are ready.”
Meanwhile, Heeyoul Lee, the inaugural HE and the first to continue working past retirement age, remains a mentor dedicated to passing on his know-how to the next generation.
At SK hynix, DEs, HEs, Masters, and Honored Masters are actively contributing to the growth of the company and strengthening its technical foundation. Lee, Kim, Kwon, and Shin are committed to continually advancing the company’s technological expertise and upholding their responsibilities as the top experts in their fields.
